5 Days Sahara Desert Tour From Tangier To Marrakech
From Tangier
5 Days
Overview
This Morocco desert tour from Tangier to Marrakech will allow you to connect the two most important travel destinations in Morocco in a very practical way. To go from Tangier to Marrakech, there is nothing better than doing it in a desert tour. Like that, you will travel from Tangier to Marrakech crossing the famous road of 1000 Kasbah and sleep in the marvelous Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga village. This desert journey will allow you to pass by a lot of Berber villages. You will also discover Ait Benhaddou Kasbah, Skoura Palmeraie, Dades Gorge, Rose Valley and Ziz Valley. This Tangier to Marrakech desert tour is optimal if you book its 5 days version. The best option is to go with its 9 days version. It is also available in 7days too.
Details & Itinerary
Day 1: Tangier, From Chefchaouen to Fez
The Kingdom of Morocco welcomes you! Our team will pick you up at the airport or at the Ferry station in Tangier following your arrival time. The city is an exciting mix of cultures that will enchant you at first sight. Take your time with some refreshments after your long trip, then start your journey towards Fes, crossing on your way the city of Tetouan with its remarkable Moorish architecture, the monumental Rifs’ Mountains and the gorgeous Chefchaouen, the blue pearl of Morocco. After this eventful first day of your desert tour from Fes, reach your traditional Riad in the heart of the old Medina of Fes, where you will enjoy a delightful dinner before resting for the night.
A journey through the Imperial City of Fes: our tours are completely customizable; you can add an extension to your Morocco experience any time you want and visit more fascinating places.
Day 2: Desert Trip From Fez
After breakfast, leave Fes for the European-styled village of Ifrane. The Ifrane National Park is famous for its centennial Gouraud Atlas cedar trees and the unique Barbary monkeys living in it. Your next stop in your Fes desert tour is the city of Midelt, known as the Apple of Morocco. After lunch, ride through the Tizi n’Talghom pass and through the breathtaking Ziz Valley to reach Errachidia. Here, you will see the Hassan Addakhil Dam, one of the oldest in the country. This desert trip from Fes continues through the palmeraie of the Natural Reserve of Aoufous, just before you reach the town of Erfoud, famous for its artifacts made for local fossils and its yearly international date palms fair. The desert is not far ahead and soon enough, you will find yourself in Merzouga, where you will change your ride for a private camel to explore the desert of Erg Chebbi. You’re just in time to enjoy the memorable sight of the sunset over the dunes before you reach your Berber Luxury Camp. Dinner will be served under the Sahara stars, then you can enjoy a night full of Berber music and dances, before retiring in your luxurious private tent.
Day 3: Sahara Desert Tour
Your Morocco desert trip to Marrakech today is about exploring the desert of Erg Chebbi, comfortable in your private 4×4 vehicle. Your first stop will be the natural caves from which the locals extract the fascinating fossils for their handicrafts. Next in your itinerary, the village of Tissardmine, where you will find some breathtaking locations featured in many famous movies. An exciting drive along the Paris-Dakar’s rally path brings you through the Black Desert, after which you will visit a Tuareg family home to enjoy some refreshments and experience their daily life firsthand. This ever-changing Sahara desert tour continues to the village of Khamlia that will enchant you with traditional music and dancing, and where you will see their unique way of farming over the sand. The Dayet Srji lake will be your following stop, with its fabulous pink flamingos. Return to the camp in time to witness the sunset, then enjoy a refreshing dinner and unwind in front of the fire, or lying under the starry sky. Your well-equipped private tent will make you sleep like a Berber king.
Day 4: Through the Sahara Desert and the Valley of A Thousand Kasbahs to the Dades Valey
This morning, wake up to the first morning lights creating stunning games of colors over the Sahara. Enjoy a rich breakfast at the camp before leaving for Rissani, the new Sijilmassa, where the Alaouite dynasty was born. Visit their Mausoleum and the surrounding Ksours (crenelated villages). For lunch, you will be the guest of a Tuareg family and will get a chance to taste the delicious 44 spices Berber pizza. After lunch, your Morocco desert tour brings you to visit the ancient irrigation system of Jorf and the palm grove of Tineghir, on your way to the massive Todgha Gorge. Afterwards, a ride through the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs will lead you to the Dades Gorge. On your way you will cross many traditional Berber villages, like those of Aït Oudinar, Aït Youl, Aït Ouffi, Aït Toukhsine and Aït Arbi. Reaching the Dades Valley by evening, enjoy a peaceful dinner at your Kasbah and take your time to unwind and relax.
Day 5: Desert Tour to Marrakech From the Roses’ Valley to Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah
Your first stop today will be the peculiar rock formation of the “Monkey Fingers”, after which your Fes to Marrakech desert tour reaches the famous Dades Gorge. Take a romantic walk in the Valley of the Roses and rest in the shadows of the Skoura palmeraie, before reaching the famous movie locations of Ouarzazate. Join a studio tour to know more about the fabulous landscapes featured in amazing international movies such as Lawrence of Arabia, The Gladiator and The Mummy. After lunch, explore the surroundings to find the incredibly stunning kasbah of Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that used to hold a fundamental spot in the trans-Saharan trade route of the 11th century. This fascinating Morocco desert tour continues through the Tizi n’Tichka pass to finally reach the bustling city of Marrakech. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the city as you like.
Explore the incredible city of Marrakech: you can choose to extend your tour whenever you want, we would love to customize your experience so that you can explore Morocco as your heart desires.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Tangier, From Chefchaouen to Fez
Day 2: Desert Trip From Fez
Day 3: Sahara Desert Tour
Day 4: Through the Sahara Desert and the Valley of A Thousand Kasbahs to the Dades Valey
Day 5: Desert Tour to Marrakech From the Roses’ Valley to Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah
What’s Included
Planning and quality control by seasoned travel leaders
Knowledgeable Guides (Multi-lingual), special lectures, and insightful meetings
Entrance Fees to Historic Monuments
All Transfers-even individual airport transfers, when required.
Luggage Handling-at all hotels, airport, etc.
Air-Conditioned, comfortable, and luxurious vehicles depending on your choice (4*4, Mini-bus…).
Nights at the top range hotels, Riads, Kasbahs, and Bivouacs.
Elegant Meals (Breakfast daily, and usually either Dinner).
All details are handled by reliable, experienced Tour Leaders.
Outstanding value and convenience.
No hidden add-ons or markup.
What’s Excluded
Lunchs
Tips
Travel insurance charges
Travel Advices
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Best time to visit Morocco
The climate in Morocco varies wildly according to the season and area of travel. In the lowlands, the cooler months from October to April are popular among visitors. This time of year is pleasantly warm to hot (around 30°C) during the day and cool to cold (around 15°C) at night. Winter in the higher regions often brings snow and can therefore get seriously cold, particularly at night. Tourists flock to the coastline from June to September for fun in the sun, with warm mostly rain-free days. Further inland it can get hot and rain is rare, which makes the best times to travel March to June and September to December.
Morocco Culture & Customs
Morocco's culture has developed over centuries of influence from far and wide. Contemporary Morocco is a fascinating mix of Berber, Mediterranean, Andalucian, and African traditions, which are present in the cuisine, clothing, music, language, customs, and lifestyle. As an Islamic country, most Moroccans are Muslim; however, there are small populations of people who practice Judaism and Christianity. Classic examples of Islamic architecture can be observed all throughout the country and tenets of the Islamic religion are carried out in the customs and lives of the people. The 'Call to Prayer' can be heard five times a day, women are expected to dress modestly and alcohol isn't drunk by most of the population.
Most of Moroccan society can be considered traditional, with respect for elders, connection to family, and giving alms to the poor hallmarks of everyday life for many Moroccans. Hospitality is another important element of society, with warmly welcoming people into your home a time-honored tradition and social responsibility that dates back centuries.
Vegetarian and Vegan Options in Morocco ?
Much of Morocco's cuisine revolves around meat, but vegetables are an important staple and a crucial ingredient in many dishes of the Maghreb. Your diet can consist of more than just flatbread and hummus – trust us. Keep an eye out for vegetable-based tagines and couscous, the renowned Zaalouk (a smokey eggplant and tomato salad), vegetable Briouats (triangular-filled pastries), and cinnamon oranges. Vegan options are slightly more limited, as many of the pieces of bread and couscous dishes have butter added to them, but your best bet is to enquire if yours can be made using oil instead. Otherwise, it's easy to dine well on varied vege offerings in Morocco.